Marking one-year anniversary of airshow tragedy

One of the tributes left in memory of the airshow tragedy's victims last year

Published:12:08Friday 19 August 2016

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Flowers to be laid and minute’s silence observed

Flags lowered to half-mast

Memorial church service for community

Flowers will be laid and a minute’s silence observed on the first anniversary of the Shoreham Airshow tragedy on Monday.

The events will take place at the Old Toll Bridge in Shoreham at 1.22pm – the exact time the tragedy happened last year, when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed onto the A27 at Lancing during a display, killing 11 men.

Before the one-year anniversary, local churches will be coming together to hold a service for the community, at 11am on Saturday, at St Mary’s Church, Shoreham, organised by Shoreham Churches Together.

West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldsmith will be among those laying flowers at Monday’s ceremony. She said: “Throughout the last year our thoughts have been with the families who lost loved ones. This tragedy has had a massive impact on the community and touched so many lives.

“It is right that one year on we are coming together again, laying flowers and holding a minute’s silence so that we can have a time of reflection. I know that across Shoreham, around West Sussex and further afield, people will also be remembering those who died.”

West Sussex County Council will also mark the minute’s silence across all of its offices and flags will be flown at half-mast at council buildings. Other minute’s silences will also be held around the county including at the Shoreham Centre, in Pond Road, Shoreham.

Mrs Goldsmith added: “It is hard to believe it’s been nearly 12 months since the Shoreham Airshow tragedy. I am very aware for the families, relatives and friends who lost people on that day, these past 12 months will have been the hardest they’ve ever lived through and my heart goes out to them. There has been hardly a day that’s passed where they haven’t been on my mind.

“Although I might be the leader of West Sussex County Council and – proudly – hold the responsibilities that position demands of me, on that day I admit to being one of thousands absolutely shocked and brought to tears by the scenes in Shoreham – yet so humbled, moved and extremely grateful for the amazing work undertaken by all the emergency services, unstintingly supported by St John Ambulance, and Red Cross.

“At 1.22pm, the exact time of the crash one year ago, I will lay flowers in memory of the 11 who died and staff across our council offices and firefighters at our fire stations will fall silent.”

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